---
redirect_from:
  - /config/downstream/powerbi
---

# Power BI

[Power BI](https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/power-platform/products/power-bi/)
is an interactive data visualization software product developed by Microsoft.

See how you can use [ksqlDB][ref-ksqldb] and Cube Cloud to power real-time
analytics in Power BI:

<YouTubeVideo url="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RD_HZ7xE8G0" />

## Connect from Cube Cloud

It is recommended to use [Semantic Layer Sync][ref-sls] to connect Cube Cloud to
Power BI. It automatically synchronizes the [data model][ref-data-model] with Power BI.

Navigate to the [Integrations](/product/workspace/integrations#connect-specific-tools)
page, click <Btn>Connect to Cube</Btn>, and choose <Btn>Microsoft Power BI</Btn> to get
detailed instructions.

## Connect from Cube Core

You can connect a Cube deployment to Power BI using the [SQL API][ref-sql-api].

In Cube Core, the SQL API is disabled by default. Enable it and [configure
the credentials](/product/apis-integrations/sql-api#configuration) to
connect to Power BI.

## Connecting from Power BI

Power BI connects to Cube as to a Postgres database using the
[DirectQuery][link-powerbi-directquery] connectivity mode.

<InfoBox>

It's not recommended to import data into Power BI when connecting to Cube;
choose DirectQuery instead. Use [pre-aggregations][ref-pre-aggs] to improve
querying performance and manage data freshness upstream of Power BI.

</InfoBox>

### Querying data

Your cubes will be exposed as tables, where both your measures and dimensions
are columns.

[ref-getting-started]: /product/getting-started/cloud
[ref-sql-api]: /product/apis-integrations/sql-api
[ref-pre-aggs]: /product/caching/using-pre-aggregations
[ref-sls]: /product/apis-integrations/semantic-layer-sync
[ref-data-model]: /product/data-modeling/overview
[ref-ksqldb]: /product/configuration/data-sources/ksqldb
[link-powerbi-directquery]: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/connect-data/desktop-use-directquery